Grade 9 Curriculum
Foundation year of the high-school pathways
High School · Grade 9 – Grade 12
Grade 9 lays the academic base for graduation: Algebra I, Biology, world literature and composition, world history, and the first pathway courses in computer science, robotics, business or digital media.
Developmental learning priorities
- Algebra I mastery
- Laboratory biology
- Academic composition
- Pathway entry courses
- Portfolio and study discipline
Subjects taught in Grade 9
English I: World Literature & Composition(open for detail)
Learners study world and African literature, write analytical and argumentative essays with secondary sources, and build the academic writing conventions required through Grade 12.
Annual learning objectives
- • Write a documented literary analysis
- • Use MLA-style or equivalent citation consistently
- • Analyse how context shapes a text
- • Participate in seminar discussion
Key units & topics
- • World and African literature
- • Literary analysis
- • Argumentation
- • Research and citation
- • Seminar discussion
Skills developed
- • Close reading
- • Academic writing
- • Citation
- • Discussion
Projects & performance tasks
- • Comparative essay on two works from different regions
Technology & AI integration
AI permitted for outlining and feedback with disclosure; all analysis must be the learner's own.
Assessment approach
Essays, seminar participation and examinations.
Algebra I(open for detail)
Learners master linear and quadratic functions, systems, inequalities, polynomials and factoring, with modelling applications drawn from business, science and engineering.
Annual learning objectives
- • Solve and graph linear and quadratic functions
- • Solve systems and inequalities
- • Factor and manipulate polynomials
- • Model real situations algebraically
Key units & topics
- • Linear functions
- • Systems and inequalities
- • Polynomials and factoring
- • Quadratics
- • Modelling
Skills developed
- • Algebraic fluency
- • Modelling
- • Problem solving
Projects & performance tasks
- • Optimisation model for a school enterprise
Technology & AI integration
Graphing tools and spreadsheets; AI-produced solutions must be checked step by step.
Assessment approach
Unit tests, a comprehensive examination and modelling tasks.
Biology(open for detail)
Learners study cell biology, genetics, evolution, human body systems and ecology with laboratory practicals, dissection or simulation, and quantitative data analysis.
Annual learning objectives
- • Explain cell processes and energy flow
- • Apply genetics to inheritance problems
- • Describe evolutionary evidence
- • Design and report a biological investigation
Key units & topics
- • Cells and biochemistry
- • Genetics
- • Evolution
- • Human systems
- • Ecology
Skills developed
- • Laboratory technique
- • Data analysis
- • Scientific writing
Projects & performance tasks
- • Ecological survey of a local habitat with statistical analysis
Technology & AI integration
Digital data analysis and simulations; AI used for literature search with verified sources.
Assessment approach
Practicals, lab reports and examinations.
Computer Science Principles(open for detail)
Learners study algorithms, data representation, hardware, networks and the internet, and programming, alongside the social and ethical impact of computing.
Annual learning objectives
- • Analyse and compare algorithms
- • Explain networking and internet protocols conceptually
- • Write structured programs
- • Evaluate computing's social impact
Key units & topics
- • Algorithms
- • Data representation
- • Networks and the internet
- • Programming
- • Impacts of computing
Skills developed
- • Algorithmic reasoning
- • Programming
- • Ethical analysis
Projects & performance tasks
- • Algorithm comparison study with performance measurements
Technology & AI integration
Entry course to the AI & Computer Science pathway.
Assessment approach
Programming assignments, examinations and a written impact study.
Applied AI I: Tools, Prompting & Verification(open for detail)
Learners build disciplined AI workflows for research, analysis, writing support and productivity, with systematic verification, disclosure and evaluation of output quality.
Annual learning objectives
- • Design effective, structured prompts
- • Verify AI output against primary sources
- • Evaluate model limitations for a given task
- • Document AI use professionally
Key units & topics
- • Prompt engineering
- • Verification methods
- • Model limitations
- • Professional disclosure
Skills developed
- • Prompting
- • Verification
- • Judgement
Projects & performance tasks
- • AI-assisted research brief with a full verification appendix
Technology & AI integration
Core of the Grade 9–10 FutureTech pathway stage.
Assessment approach
Verification appendices, applied tasks and examinations.
Personal Finance(open for detail)
Learners build personal budgets, compare loan and savings products, calculate interest, study insurance and taxation and plan for post-secondary costs.
Annual learning objectives
- • Build and maintain a personal budget
- • Calculate simple and compound interest
- • Compare loan offers accurately
- • Plan for post-secondary costs
Key units & topics
- • Budgeting
- • Interest and credit
- • Insurance and risk
- • Taxation
- • Education funding
Skills developed
- • Financial modelling
- • Comparison
- • Planning
Projects & performance tasks
- • Five-year personal financial plan modelled in a spreadsheet
Technology & AI integration
Spreadsheet formulas for amortisation and growth.
Assessment approach
Plan quality, calculation tests and case analysis.
Professional Foundations & Portfolio(open for detail)
Learners build a professional CV and digital portfolio, practise interviews, and study workplace expectations, communication and ethics.
Annual learning objectives
- • Produce a professional CV and cover letter
- • Maintain a digital portfolio
- • Perform in a mock interview
- • Explain workplace rights and expectations
Key units & topics
- • CV and cover letters
- • Portfolio
- • Interview skills
- • Workplace conduct
Skills developed
- • Professional communication
- • Self-presentation
Projects & performance tasks
- • Mock recruitment day with external interviewers where available
Technology & AI integration
Portfolio hosted digitally and updated each year to Grade 12.
Assessment approach
CV and portfolio review and interview rubric.
Physical Education & Health(open for detail)
Learners take responsibility for personal fitness planning, study exercise and nutrition science and participate in competitive and recreational sport.
Annual learning objectives
- • Design and follow a personal fitness plan
- • Explain the body's response to training
- • Apply nutrition to performance
- • Compete and cooperate with integrity
Key units & topics
- • Fitness planning
- • Exercise science
- • Nutrition
- • Sport
Skills developed
- • Self-discipline
- • Health literacy
- • Teamwork
Projects & performance tasks
- • Term-long fitness programme with recorded data
Technology & AI integration
Activity and progress data tracked and analysed.
Assessment approach
Fitness records, tests and participation.
History: World History I — Revolutions & Empires(open for detail)
Learners study the early modern and modern world: exploration and empire, the Atlantic revolutions, industrialisation, nationalism and imperialism, always returning to the effects on Africa and Liberia.
Annual learning objectives
- • Explain the causes and global effects of industrialisation
- • Compare two revolutions and their outcomes
- • Analyse imperialism from more than one perspective
- • Write a thesis-driven essay with cited evidence
Key units & topics
- • Exploration and empire
- • Atlantic revolutions
- • Industrial revolution
- • Nationalism
- • Imperialism and Africa
Skills developed
- • Thesis construction
- • Comparative analysis
- • Corroboration of sources
- • Academic citation
Projects & performance tasks
- • Comparative revolutions essay
- • Seminar debate on the legacies of imperialism
Technology & AI integration
Learners maintain a research log recording every database, article and AI query used, with verification notes for each retained claim.
Assessment approach
Thesis essay, seminar participation and document-based examinations.
Civics: Rights, Rule of Law & Public Institutions(open for detail)
Learners study human and constitutional rights, the justice system, public institutions and integrity bodies, and how accountability and transparency are meant to work in practice.
Annual learning objectives
- • Explain constitutional and human rights with examples
- • Describe how the justice system handles a case
- • Explain what accountability and transparency mean in public office
- • Analyse a real public-institution case study
Key units & topics
- • Rights and freedoms
- • Courts and justice
- • Public institutions
- • Accountability, transparency and integrity
- • Civil society
Skills developed
- • Case analysis
- • Argument from principle
- • Research
- • Ethical reasoning
Projects & performance tasks
- • Community issue analysis with stakeholder mapping
- • Moot court or public hearing simulation
Technology & AI integration
Learners use official published documents and reports, and treat any AI summary as unverified until checked against the original.
Assessment approach
Case-study analysis, simulation performance and an examination.
End-of-year outcomes
By the end of Grade 9, a learner:
- Completes Algebra I and Biology with laboratory competence.
- Writes documented literary and historical essays.
- Holds a professional CV and an active digital portfolio.
- Uses AI tools with rigorous verification and disclosure.
- Has entered a FutureTech pathway with a clear plan.
World History(open for detail)
Learners study major world civilisations, revolutions, colonialism, the world wars and decolonisation, with Africa placed at the centre rather than the margin of the narrative.
Annual learning objectives
Key units & topics
Skills developed
Projects & performance tasks
Technology & AI integration
Digital archives used; AI summaries always checked against primary sources.
Assessment approach
Document-based questions, essays and examinations.